Avowed is nothing short of a miracle. Obsidian Entertainment’s new fantasy RPG endured two complete reboots and six years of development. A detailed report by Jason Schreier sheds light on the past, present, and future of this ambitious project. Originally envisioned as a multiplayer title, Avowed underwent a dramatic transformation—but the result speaks for itself. The game is proving successful, and Obsidian is already looking to expand the franchise.

Avowed, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, is now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. While some see it as “just another RPG,” a growing part of the community is discovering its immersive storytelling, engaging combat, and rich world-building.

From Development Chaos to Success

The game’s development began in 2018 and was fraught with difficulties, including two full-scale reboots and significant leadership changes. Obsidian Entertainment had to navigate a turbulent production cycle, initially designing Avowed as a multiplayer experience. However, the studio made the bold decision to shift focus entirely, transforming the game into a narrative-driven single-player RPG.

This pivot presented a massive challenge. The team had to rebuild much of the game from scratch while facing financial struggles. At the time, Obsidian had only 180 employees, forcing director Carrie Patel to rethink the game’s scale. Instead of an expansive open world, the developers opted for interconnected “open zones,” allowing for more detailed environments, richer lore, and a more focused player experience.

What Lies Ahead for Obsidian?

Despite the stress and challenges, the process strengthened the team. The support of Microsoft and Xbox also played a crucial role in the studio’s evolution. “When we joined Xbox in 2018, we had around 170-180 people. Over the last five or six years, we’ve grown to about 285, and we’ve partnered with great teams like Heavy Iron and Beamdog.”

As a result, Obsidian has managed to release five games in just seven years: The Outer Worlds, Grounded, Pentiment, Avowed, and the upcoming The Outer Worlds 2. Right now, all eyes are on Avowed, which has become one of Steam’s best-selling games despite not breaking records. It peaked at 17,000 concurrent players on PC, though its true impact is likely higher on Xbox and Game Pass.

While The Outer Worlds 2 is expected to launch this year, Obsidian’s next steps remain unclear. It wouldn’t be surprising if DLC expansions or a sequel for Avowed were already in the works. Carrie Patel confirmed to Jason Schreier that they are pleased with the game’s performance and see room for further expansion.

Patel expressed her desire to continue directing games at Obsidian. While she personally favors story expansions or a direct sequel, the studio’s long-term direction is still up in the air. “Now that we’ve built this incredible world and strengthened our team’s expertise, I’d love for us to do even more with it.”

Source: 3djuegos